USESI Blogger, Author at US Electrical Services Inc

Reducing Commercial Electricity Costs for HVAC Systems

June 24, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments

The commercial electricity for HVAC systems accounts for about 50 percent of a building’s total energy consumption. Being one of the major energy costs in a manufacturing facility, it dominates the building’s peak electricity demand. As such, improving the system’s efficiency, in order to cut energy costs, should be every facility manager’s priority. The energy consumption depends on the climate, comfort preferences, building design, insulation, the timing of use, the size of the HVAC system, heat generated by electrical equipment, and other site-specific factors. Building owners and businesses can reduce their energy costs by combining several measures that increase an

Electricity 101 Energy Supply

Understanding Photovoltaic Technology, Applications and Benefits

June 20, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments

Photovoltaic cells consist of materials that convert light energy into electricity. The cells are usually comprised of several layers of silicon or other light sensitive inorganic or organic materials. When light energy strikes the material, it frees up the electrons and sets them up in motion that produces electricity. This is the essence of photovoltaic technology. A free electron, which is a negative charge, leaves a deficiency in the atom which now becomes positively charged. As the negative charges move within the cell, some of them neutralize the positively charged particles. As this happens, more electrons are released as long

Electricity 101 Energy Savings

How to Live Off the Grid on a Budget

June 16, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments

People everywhere are talking about how to live off the grid. This lifestyle not only reduces your carbon footprint, but it also enables you to be more independent. You don’t have to worry about huge utility bills anymore. And no more reliance on fossil fuels. Some homeowners have found good ways to live partially off the grid, but most do have to rely in part on water, gas or electricity from the city where they live. However, these days, it’s entirely possible to live completely off the grid by digging a well on your property for water, installing a septic

Electricity 101 Energy Supply

Selling Energy Storage to Existing Customers

June 12, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments

A growing number of Photovoltaic (PV) owners are turning to energy storage as a way of managing the electrical power for their homes and businesses. The battery storage, in particular, is emerging as a popular item in the renewable energy mix. Pairing this with PVs or other renewable sources helps customers to own complete energy systems and become partly or fully self-reliant. A typical combination of solar and battery power enables a customer to reduce their grid consumption by about 80 percent. However, this may vary according to location, individual consumption, time of use, as well as the size of

Electrical Safety Electricity 101

Choosing the Right Electrical Safety Gear

June 7, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments

On any job site, having the right electrical safety gear is essential. For electrical projects, there are often special considerations, as some tasks can have unique hazards that require special gear. Eye Protection Eye injuries are serious and for most electricians are a daily hazard. Having, and using, the right eye protection can make all the difference. Safety glasses are the bare minimum for any job site. Make sure that safety glasses have side-shields and the ANSI Z87.1 stamp. This means that they are designed and rated to provide an approved minimum protection from blunt impacts. They can also feature

General Interest

Easy Digital Marketing for Electrical Contractors

June 3, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments digital marketing, electrical contractor, Facebook, Google, marketing, YouTube

In this digital age, having a strong online presence is vital to attract new employees and clients. However, with a few simple tools, any residential or commercial electrical contractor can quickly and easily set up a website. They can also create advertisements and build an online brand. Digital marketing is now accessible to the masses. Build a website The first step to building an online presence is to have a website. Not only does this give you a place to advertise your services, it also gives prospective employees a place to find you. Potential customers can easily find out who

Electrical Equipment Electricity 101

Building Automation Networking Solutions

May 31, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments

There are numerous wiring systems for building automation networking. These include power lines, USB, Ethernet, fiber and others. Wired and wireless networks such as those for data are very common. These utilize UTP cables, fiber cables, Ethernet switches, wireless access points, and others in LAN and optional WAN configurations. LANs interconnect the various devices in a building or office while WAN enables communication between different buildings and other resources such as Cloud, remote control devices or rooms. This allows facility managers to monitor and control the systems remotely using mobile or desktop devices over the internet. While the devices and

General Interest

Bookkeeping Options for Electrical Contractors

May 27, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments bookkeeping, electrical contractor, small business, taxes

For any contractor who is considering starting their own business, setting up a bookkeeping system is vital. Managing income, expenses, and taxes are mandatory. If you have employees, their hours and paychecks, along with client invoicing, are at the core of your business. Bookkeeping Tips Tracking expenses and income The first bookkeeping step is to track income and expenses. For a small contractor, it may be as simple as keeping receipts in a file folder. However, an actual tracking system will make things easier and more efficient. A basic setup should include categories for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and job

Electrical Safety Electricity 101

Basic AC Motor Troubleshooting

May 24, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments

When ac motors stop working, it is often essential to fix the problem as quickly as possible. With these basic tips, a qualified electrician should be able to diagnose most common issues. Check out these ac motor troubleshooting tips below. Safety Concerns When troubleshooting a motor, it is vital to take the proper safety precautions. Before opening the control panels or motor splice boxes, be certain that the power feed has been disconnected. You should lock and tag out the breaker or disconnect switch for added safety. Always use a multimeter to check that there is no voltage on exposed

General Interest

Estimating Software for Electrical Contractors

May 20, 2017February 20, 2019 USESI Blogger 0 Comments building contractor, electrical contractor, estimating software, project bidding

For large projects, a simple notepad and pen are not sufficient to provide accurate and timely cost estimates to clients. The good news is that there are some pretty good estimating software programs now available that do the job. Both residential and commercial contractors can save time, money, and win more bids by providing professional job estimates. These programs also offer the ability to manage projects, bill clients, and keep track of change orders. They feature a wide range of options for any size of contractor. TurboBid Estimating Software TurboBid is one of the most well received and fully featured estimating

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